Publication

The US belongs to various organizations and networks that encompass countries on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is not among them. Should the US try to join? This paper answers that question with a qualified 'yes': despite formidable difficulties, the Obama Administration should try to 'ease' the US into the Summit, initially as a guest of the host country. This paper uses this case to illustrate larger themes, discusses the relevance of frameworks other than the EAS and recommends a policy of creative adaptations to regionalism in East Asia.